Garma Festival 2024: Price says ‘desperate’ PM misguided on new approach to Indigenous affairs
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says Albo is “scrambling” on Indigenous affairs by adopting a focus “I’ve been talking about from the get go”, as her absence from the Garma Festival raises questions about how bipartisanship might be reached.
Indigenous Affairs
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Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says the Prime Minister is “scrambling” on Indigenous affairs by adopting a focus on economic development “I’ve been talking about from the get go”, as her absence from the Garma Festival raises questions about how bipartisanship might be reached.
The remote East Arnhem Land festival is the largest Indigenous cultural event in the country and widely billed as the most significant – drawing politicians, industry, philanthropists and community leaders to discuss issues and policy impacting First Nations people.
Over past years Garma became a heartland for the Yes campaign – this year PM Anthony Albanese was still received with honour and gratitude despite the failure of the Voice referendum.
“It’s not the only event taking place across the Territory over this weekend,” Ms Price said, speaking from the Harts Range Races – a rodeo and bush sports event in Central Australia.
“The Territory is a big broad place and there’s lots to do, and many community members to get across and to hear from, and needs that need to be met.”
In a speech on Saturday, Mr Albanese focused on economic empowerment as the path to “lasting self-determination” for Indigenous Australians.
Ms Price said economic development in remote communities had long been a focus of the coalition and NT Country Liberals, but Mr Albanese’s attempt to link it with the renewables focused Future Made in Australia agenda was misguided.
“(Albanese) has failed to move the dial a single bit to improve the lives of our most marginalised, particularly in places like the Northern Territory,” she said.
“He put all his eggs in one basket with the failed Voice referendum and now he’s scrambling for a way forward, so he’s adopted terminologies such as economic development, which is what I’ve been talking about from the get go.
“The problem with the PM is the fact that he’s talking about economic development that’s attached to renewables energy – I’m talking about real economic development.”
That included looking at the Land Rights Act, she said, to make it easier to lease land back to government or private investors for ventures such as mining or tourism.
Newly minted Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said she was committed to working across the political aisle and Aboriginal people must stop being used as “a political football”.
Ms Price said it was another sign of a desperate government.
“I have not had a phone call or a text message from the new minister on this supposed bipartisan approach,” she said.
“They think that by using terms like ‘economic development’, which is what we’ve been talking about, and ‘a bipartisan approach’, it’s somehow going to support them going toward this next federal election; when we know that they’re completely out of ideas and they have failed miserably.”
She called for the government to support a Royal Commission into the sexual abuse of Indigenous children, and a Senate Inquiry into where money is spent by Aboriginal organisations.
“That’s what being bipartisan looks like, supporting common sense practical ways going forward,” she said.
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Minister Malarndirri McCarthy’s comments came at a panel discussion on the first day of the Garma Festival, when she was asked if her commitment to work across the political aisle extended to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
Mr Dutton on Friday told reporters in Perth that “under a government I lead, there will be no Makarrata, there will be no revisiting of truth telling”.
Mr Dutton also critiqued how much the failed Voice referendum had cost taxpayers.
Ms McCarthy said: “Well, it just shows the challenge I have in front of me”.
She said Labor remained committed to Makarrata – a term encompassing truth, treaty and voice as outlined in the Uluru statement – but that the Prime Minister had heard Australians when they voted No and would not continue to pursue a constitutional or legislative voice to parliament.
Mr Dutton is not expected to attend Garma despite invitations, last year labelling the festival a “love-in (for) the Yes advocates and proponents”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived Friday afternoon, welcomed by traditional Yolngu land owners who performed a Bunggul (ceremonial dance) to officially open the festival for 2024.
Earlier in the day local Northern Territory politician Yingiya Mark Guyula MLA gave a keynote address.
“I stand here today in this Garma space, and I call on the Prime Minister and the new Minister for Indigenous Australians to listen to us and work together to create an independent treaty commission that begins now,” Mr Guyula said.
“In honour of another great leader, the late Dr M Yunupingu from the Yothu Yindi band – we call for Treaty now.”
Thousands of politicians, philanthropists, and community leaders have converged on remote East Arnhem Land for the four day festival – one of the most significant Indigenous cultural events in the country.
‘Fire, strength, renewal’: What to expect as Garma Festival returns
August 2: Australia’s largest Indigenous cultural event gets underway in the Northern Territory this weekend, with thousands of politicians, philanthropists, and community leaders converging on remote East Arnhem land for Garma Festival’s first return since the failed referendum.
With attendees paying up to $5000 a head for a corporate pass, Garma has become a political and philanthropic heartland for discussion of First Nations issues and policy.
Last year’s event was dominated by the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and after Australians’ resounding No vote, many will be watching Anthony Albanese’s key note address with interest for his government’s refreshed vision to close the gap.
Running over four days, from Friday to Monday, the festival will also feature daily Bunggul (traditional ceremonial dance) at sunset, the open-air Gapan art gallery and the Key Forum.
The forum is a think-tank component of the festival in which policy experts and community leaders debate issues impacting Indigenous people.
Now in its 24th year, Garma brings together clan leaders from across Arnhem Land to share traditional Yolngu culture, ideas and policy discussions with visitors.
This year’s theme is Gurtha-Wuma Worrk-gu – Fire. Strength. Renewal.
The music program features prominent Yolngu artists including King Stingray, Dhapanbal Yunupingu, Yirrmal, Larry Gurruwiwi & the Birrtjimi Choir, and the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band.
The Youth Forum returns to explore leadership and critical thinking and inspiring youth to look towards the future, along with hands-on cultural workshops.
Less traditional events are also on the program, including yoga and tai chi.
“The excitement is really building here in the local community as we put the final finishing touches on the site. As they do every year, our Yolngu hosts are waiting with open arms to greet our Garma guests,” festival director Joel Ulbricht said.
NT Major Events, which helps support the event run by not for profit Yothu Yindi Foundation, said more than 3000 were expected to attend.
“Garma Festival is the most significant Indigenous cultural festival in Australia,” chief executive Suzana Bishop said.
“It’s a celebration of Yolngu life and culture and an important political forum for leaders to listen, learn, share ideas and create a path forward.”
Garma takes place on the sacred Gumatj Bunggul ground in Gulkula, half an hour from Nhulunbuy.
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